It has been an honor to participate in the 2016 Republican Presidential Primary.

I am proud of our principled campaign and the thousands of young people that have been energized by our message of limited constitutional government.

Ours has been a unique voice in this race - one that says Big Government threatens Americans from all walks of life, rich and poor, black and white - from the coal miner who has lost his job over President Obama's destructive EPA regulations... to the teenager from a poor family facing jail time for marijuana. I will continue to fight for criminal justice reform, for privacy, and your 4th amendment rights. I will continue to champion due process over indefinite detention.

I will continue to be a voice against the out of control regulation, spending and debt that is crippling our country's economy and the future of our children. I will not ignore the terrible cost of decades of war and chaos in the Middle East, and the unintended consequences of regime change and nation building. I will never forget the thousands of American soldiers who have given their lives - and the thousands more who live everyday with catastrophic injuries.

These are the issues that have defined my campaign. Kelley and I are deeply grateful to our outstanding staff and tireless volunteers and supporters - people who believe in liberty. It has been a privilege to give voice to the liberty movement in this race and I believe we have broadened the debate by being part of it. Although today I will suspend my campaign for the Presidency, I will continue to fight on for liberty, for the Constitution, and for justice in the United States Senate. Thank you, and God Bless America.

Today, Dr. Rand Paul issued the following statement on his presidential campaign:

"It's been an incredible honor to run a principled campaign for the White House. Today, I will end where I began, ready and willing to fight for the cause of Liberty.

Across the country thousands upon thousands of young people flocked to our message of limited government, privacy, criminal justice reform and a reasonable foreign policy. Brushfires of Liberty were ignited, and those will carry on, as will I.

Although, today I will suspend my campaign for President, the fight is far from over. I will continue to carry the torch for Liberty in the United States Senate and I look forward to earning the privilege to represent the people of Kentucky for another term."

DES MOINES, IA- Rand Paul had a strong top-five finish by placing ahead of Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, John Kasich, and the last two Iowa Caucus winners tonight. The voters spoke for the first time, and they showed that they believe everyone in our country should have the liberty to make the most of their lives, not just the well-connected and the political establishment.

Whether the issue is constitutional government, a balanced budget, a rational foreign policy, or preserving the entire Bill of Rights for all citizens, Rand Paul is the only one standing up for conservatives and liberty-loving Americans.

Tonight's vote reveals that the race for the White House is wide open. Dr. Rand Paul believes his voice is important to the debate, and calls on ABC and the RNC to make sure he is on the stage next weekend in New Hampshire. The results today demand it.

"Every election we are told by the party establishment that the times are too dire or risky to try freedom as a solution. They say that the message of liberty and personal responsibility must wait until next election. But tonight, the people of Iowa proved that the time is now. We have never been more hungry for personal freedom and a restrained government. I'm grateful to my supporters here in the Hawkeye state, and I look forward to continuing the fight for liberty in New Hampshire," said Dr. Rand Paul.

As Rand Paul marches forward, Carl Cameron noted on Fox News tonight that, "Rand Paul has something of a foothold there and coming in apparently 5th here in Iowa could actually give Rand Paul an opportunity to excel in New Hampshire."